This is not a post about what gear to use, types of gear, or meant to criticize people who work their dogs without gear. This is merely an informative post about the pros and cons of choosing to work your dog in gear or without gear. This topic can cause confusion for handlers and the general public alike, and controversy regarding certain breeds, a sense of professionalism, and public image. I aim to clear up some of the confusion, and provide an overview of both sides of the discussion. What ADA (Federal) Law RequiresThe Americans with Disability Act (ADA) is the set of laws and regulations that every service dog handler should be very familiar with, as they explain the legal aspects of life with a service animal, including where we, the handlers, are to be allowed access in public, and how our teams should act. The Department of Justice (DOJ) is the governing body a handler should contact if they have a problem. A common source of confusion between teams and the general public seems to be on whether a team must be wearing gear or have some form of ID in order to be considered a real team.
Certain States May Have Their Own GuidelinesFederal law typically trumps state law. Typically, the exception is when state law provides equal or greater protection for the disabled individual. For instance, the ADA does not cover dogs in training, but in Missouri, service dogs in training have the same public access rights as full fledged dogs. Check out this article about Virginia for a real-life example of state laws clashing with federal laws. Below is a PDF document here that gives a clear break down of various regulations for every state and a few countries, regarding where dogs in training can go, and certain gear requirements. For instance, Massachusetts specifies that hearing dogs should always wear a brightly colored collar and leash as identification. It is my understanding, after reading through the regulations for various states, that when certain states have gear specifications, they intend it more for visibility than proof.
Working With Gear: Pros & Cons
Working Without Gear: Pros & Cons
Quick Note on Patches
Closing NotesI have talked a bit about what’s required by law regarding dogs in gear, briefly discussed the pros and cons of working in gear and without, and expressed my own reasons for choosing to work my service dog in gear when on-duty. I hope that the points discussed here help you feel more educated about the ins and outs of working your dog clothed or naked, and maybe you learned something useful! At the end of the day, this is your team. Deciding how to work your dog depends on you, your disability, and what your dog feels most comfortable in.
1 Comment
4/11/2022 05:40:33 am
I very much appreciate it. Thank you for this excellent article. Keep posting!
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My Name is Sally...I have a condition called Complex Regional Pain Syndrome. This blog is about my journey training Robbie, a dog who helped me regain independence, confidence, and achieve the impossible in the face of my disability. It continues on with the training of Austin, Robbie's successor. Check Out... - "More than a Dog" was published on a site called The Mighty Categories
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